Common Heating Issues in Your Home

There are numerous potential problems with a home’s heating system, but most homeowners experience one of these major issues. With a bit of research and care, you can keep your heating system running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. It’s best to consult a professional if you’re having problems with your heating system but aren’t sure what’s wrong. If you want to be prepared for the upcoming winter, these are the most common heating issues as well as potential solutions. 

Why won’t the heating system switch on?

It’s unsettling when furnaces take a few minutes to start up. People worry that the furnace has died when they discover this common issue. If your furnace or heat pump is experiencing this typical issue, it is not always for repair.

If the problem is more complicated, it is necessary to contact professionals who can help. The solution to larger problems requires more time and effort. This can sometimes imply a temporary relocation. You can always find help from a local team to make that temporary relocation as stress-free as possible. Otherwise, there are some problems that you can fix by yourself. There are a few common heating issues that you can inspect if your furnace does not turn on:

• Make sure that heating equipment is receiving power
• Check external doors
• See what’s thermostats status 
• Incorrect thermostat setup

Make sure that heating equipment is receiving power

Electricity is a must in order to start and control the motor of any heating equipment, including gas furnaces. You can’t expect your furnace to start properly if it doesn’t have power. Therefore, the first step is to check for any possible electrical problems. After that, look for other potential issues caused by a tripped breaker or an outside power switch on the air handler, furnace, or heat pump. Check all relevant electrical switches and outlets before restarting your heating system.

Check external doors

Many heating systems are designed so that the blower will not start if the blower compartment door is open. Systems are built this way to prevent blower parts from being damaged in case a fire happens. Check that all external doors are securely closed if your heater or air conditioner malfunctions.

See what’s thermostats status 

The thermostat’s function is to communicate with your home’s heating system. Nonetheless, if the thermostat is not receiving power, it cannot start the on/off cycle of the system. Examine the thermostat’s status by looking at the screen to see if it is turned on, working properly, and displaying error messages. If the thermostat’s screen is blank, ensure the batteries are full and the power is connected correctly.

Incorrect thermostat setup

A common cause of furnaces failing to activate is an incorrectly set thermostat. Ensure “heat” is selected, and the desired temperature enters the system. If you want your thermostat to keep working correctly, you should change the time and date.

Heating maintenance makes the system life longer

Many people do not pay as much attention to routine furnace or gas heater maintenance as they should. You can avoid most of the standard heating issues by maintaining your system. If you don’t have your heating system serviced regularly, you won’t know if there are any problems until they become urgent to resolve. Professionals advise that you check your system in the summer to feel comfortable using your furnace as winter approaches. 

Ignition control or the pilot light can cause a problem

The two most common heating system ignition technologies are intermittent pilots and hot surface ignitions. If your furnace’s ignition fails, you may experience either periodic or complete heat loss. If the heating system fails, it is necessary to hire professionals to replace the entire heating system. These repairs can require a temporary evacuation until the work is completed. Being in this situation can be stressful Clean Cut Moving experts advise you to prioritize your health. Take time to cook a healthy meal for the family or walk around the neighborhood to enjoy a bit of nature. 

Dirty Filters cause equipment high degradation

The air quality in your house might suffer if you don’t frequently replace the air filters. It will cause extra effort on the system and speed up its degradation. The fan’s on/off switch, the limit switch, might break if the filter is dirty. In order to keep things moving smoothly and prolong your heating system’s life, it is essential to change the air filter once a month.

Replacing parts can improve air circulation

Heating system maintenance includes fixing or replacing broken parts. As time passes, the components that make up your heating system deteriorate, which can put the whole system at risk. Your furnace’s air circulation efficiency might be low due to worn-out parts such as ducts, belts, fan motors, and bearings. It will make it difficult, if not impossible, for your system to provide consistent heat. Other problems might arise if the air doesn’t circulate as it should through your furnace. You or a professional should periodically inspect the system for wear and replace any failing parts. 

Leaky pipework can increase heat loss

Pipework in a home is the infrastructure responsible for distributing warm air from an appliance such as a gas furnace or boiler to the building’s living areas. Hot air can leak into an unfinished area that does not require heating due to a pipe leak. It may reduce air quality and cause a “backdraft,” making maintaining a comfortable temperature difficult. Finding the source of a leak can be difficult, but once you do, sealing it with silicone caulk or aluminum tape is a breeze. Many people forget to close the ducts where they connect, which is crucial in preventing heat loss.

Many common heating issues can be avoided by pre-season maintenance

Before the heating season starts, you must check the most common heating issues that can happen to you. Always hire a professional if you don’t know how to do this on your own. It is crucial to be aware of these issues and take preventative measures, such as scheduling regular maintenance and changing air filters regularly. Maintaining your heating system will help ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently, keeping you and your home warm during the colder months.